Field Spaniel

Like most other spaniels, the Field Spaniel is a medium sized gun dog. It has a silky coat, usually solid liver or black in color. Some dogs may have a roan coat, which means that they have both dark and light hairs but no large patches of either color. The breed usually grows to a height of about 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) and according to the UK Kennel Club standards, should weight anywhere between 18-25 kg (40-55 pounds). There are varied opinions about the ideal size for a Field Spaniel in Britain and the United States. Bigger dogs are generally more popular in Europe while the Unites States prefers the smaller sizes.

These dogs are very social by nature and can quickly adjust to almost any lifestyle. They are easily able to live with other dogs around them. However, their hunting instincts could make them potential threats to animals like rabbits, birds, mice and other small animals. They will usually tolerate cats. While Field Spaniels are loving and affectionate towards family members, they are naturally cautious around strangers. This makes them good as watchdogs. Like most other spaniels, these dogs do not respond to harsh training. They should never be treated as guard dogs.

Because of their long, silky coats, these dogs require some amount of grooming to keep them neat and free of infections. Typically, the hair around the head, throat, ears and feet need trimming. Ear trimming is especially vital because otherwise, the excessive hair might trap a lot of moisture, thus increasing the chances of infection and inflammation. Long hair can also lead to infections on the feet of these dogs. Their nails should also be trimmed regularly in cases where their natural wearing down is not enough.

Overall, Field Spaniels enjoy good health, but some commonly known health concerns could include heart diseases, epilepsy, eye problems, hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia. Low thyroid is especially common and can lead to problems such as excessive weight gain and poor coat growth. Proper medication typically keeps this condition in check.

The Field Spaniel was developed during those years when dog shows were just gaining popularity. The reason for the creation of this breed was the need to create a solid black spaniel. Some of the dogs used in the development of this breed were Cocker Spaniels and the Irish Water Spaniel. Field Spaniels became very popular within a short while of being introduced. However, its early popularity as a show dog also led to the original Field Spaniel breed phasing out. To meet the demands of dog shows, the dogs were indiscriminately crossed with Basset Hounds and Sussex Spaniels. This led to a low legged, long backed type of Field Spaniels that suffered from multiple health problems. Due to this reason, the popularity of the Field Spaniel as a show dog also declined.

More recently, breeders have crossed these dogs with English Springer Spaniels in the hope of bringing them back to popularity in dog shows.